Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead

Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead is a greatly inspirational and poignant documentary movie directed by Joe Cross and Kurt Engfehr. Released in 2010, it depicts the life-altering journey of Joe Cross, who takes us along his personal and raw expedition from being obese and burdened with a debilitating autoimmune disease to reclaiming wellness by adopting a radical nutritional and lifestyle change. In his quest for health, Joe encounters Amy Badberg and Merv Cross, among other individuals who join him on his incredible expedition, becoming key characters within this gripping tale of transformation.

At the beginning of the film, we meet Joe Cross, a successful Australian businessman and the main protagonist. He's struggling with his weight and dealing with a severe chronic skin disease known as Urticaria. Overloaded with steroids that suppress his symptoms, Joe finds himself on the brink of early death due to his deteriorating health. He has reached a point where he is, as the title suggests, "Fat, Sick, & Nearly Dead."

In an audacious and consciously daring effort to alter his trajectory, Joe decides to challenge himself with a 60-day juice fast. This fast will involve ingesting nothing but the juice of fresh fruits and vegetables. His plan is to traverse the United States while undertaking his juice fast, in a bid to talk with average everyday Americans about their health and attitudes towards food. During his trip throughout America, we see how Joe cross-interviews hundreds of Americans about their diet and approach towards their physical health.

Features of regional cuisine and the habits of locals in every state Joseph visits are neatly interwoven into his travelogue. Using animated sequences, intermittent infographics, medical and scientific snippets, the film manages to highlight the dire consequences of the Standard American Diet, present health statistics, outline the role of fruits and vegetables in disease prevention, and underscore the importance of habitual physical activity, without getting tediously preachy. Further, the viewers proceed to witness a firsthand exploration of the various pros and cons of juice fasting and its effects, making for an enlightening watch.

A secondary but equally powerful narrative runs parallel within this movie: Joe Cross's encounter with Phil Staples, a morbidly obese truck driver from Iowa suffering from the same rare condition. The movie does an exceptional job of capturing Phil's journey from a somber state of despair, self-acceptance of an early death, to becoming an inspiring figure who embarks on the same challenge Joe began. The viewers are introduced to the idea that change, no matter how big or small, can be positive and impactful.

Amy Badberg and Merv Cross, along with Phil, are other strong characters that contribute significantly to this transformative narrative. These characters unveil the vast range of human emotions, dilemmas, and struggles associated with making life-changing decisions. Their stories lend a broader perspective and deliver a deeper message: that everyone can salvage control over their well-being, despite obstacles and adversities.

While Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead might appear as a film about weight loss and detox, it goes much beyond that. It is not just a personal journey of transformation but an attempt to start a dialogue about the nation's health and dieting habits. The film is a shining beacon of hope and a poignant reminder that one's health is in one's hands. It beautifully demonstrates that nourishing the body goes hand in hand with nourishing the mind, and radical change is possible with unfaltering dedication and steadfast commitment.

The sheer honesty, coupled with uplifting successful results, makes Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead a touching and empowering watch. Spectators are guaranteed to leave with a food for thought—literally and metaphorically. This film offers substantial commentary on how society thinks about food, health, and lifestyle. Geared with a compelling narrative, Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead is surely a must-watch that strikes a chord, changes perspectives, and inspires transformation.